1. Dealing with GUILT (2)

2. Guilt
Defined – 1) the fact that you have committed an offense or wrong; 2) you feel responsible, regret, shame or remorse for something, whether you did it or not
In a sense, we are ALL guilty – Romans 3:23. Sin makes us guilty before God
Yet many seek answers from sources outside of God’s word

3. Guilt
“False guilt” – a feeling of being guilty, even though you are not: e.g. parents divorcing, false standards, false accusations, manipulators, survivor’s guilt, victims, death of a loved one, etc.

4. Guilt and the Bible
With sin comes guilt from the beginning - Genesis 3:7-11 – sought to hide, blamed others Genesis 4:4-5 – Cain’s countenance fell… 2 Samuel 11 – David’s sin with Bathsheba

5. Guilt and the Bible How does God view the guilty? We are all guilty
He does not ignore our guilt - Genesis 3:14-24 – Adam and Eve cast out of the garden, cursed Genesis 4:10-15 – Cain’s curse
Jesus exposed sin and the sinner Matthew 19:16ff, 15:12-14, 23:12-16; 16:11-12, John 8:7-9

6. Guilt and the Bible Convicted
John 16:8 – the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin Acts 2:37-38 – they were cut to the heart Acts 9:3-6 – Paul on the road to Damascus
Preaching is to convict - Ephesians 5:11, 2 Timothy 4:2,

7. Dealing with guilt
HONESTLY determine the source of your guilt! Do you feel guilty or are you guilty? Are you making excuses? Blaming others? Ezekiel 18:4, 20 Are you categorizing real guilt as “false guilt”?

8. Dealing with guilt Realize that guilt can be a good thing
God has given us a conscience. Romans 2:14-16, Psalm 51:1-4, 6:6, 32:1-5
2 Corinthians 7:10 – godly sorrow produces repentance
Acts 2:37-38 – cut to the heart, they responded
1 Timothy 4:2 – don’t damage your conscience

9. Dealing with guilt
Realize God has made provisions for our guilt
Jesus died because we are guilty John 3:16, Romans 5:6-8 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21
Even Christians can be forgiven again, 1 John 1:9, 2:1-2, Acts 8:22-23

10. Dealing with guilt
Address the cause of your guilt
Repent! Acts 8:22, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
Accept the consequences of your guilt. Quit making excuses for bad behavior. Change what you can, but move forward

11. Dealing with guilt
Accept God’s forgiveness
Genuine faith – James 1:6, Hebrews 10:23
Accept where you are. The past is the past! Consider Paul 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 3:13-14

12. Dealing with guilt
IF you need help, find a godly source
Don’t turn to the godless for answers.
Find someone who cares about your soul James 5:14-16

13. Dealing with guilt What about “false guilt” Keep studying God’s word!
The soul that sins will die - Ezekiel 18:20 - Blaming others never resolves problems - 1 Corinthians 10:13 – take comfort in this - Learn to forgive yourself and accept forgiveness

14. Dealing with guilt
What about “false guilt”
Matthew 11: turn to Jesus; 1 Peter 5:6-7 – turn to God, He cares about you!
Work on accepting (and not worrying about) what you cannot control and changing what you can - Matthew 6:25-34

15. Dealing with guilt
What about “false guilt”
Build up your faith – the greater your trust, the greater your ability to deal with struggles
Again, seek help from brethren who will pray for you and with you, and who will guide you in the right direction!

16. Have you taken care of your guilt with God?